GARY GUILFOYLE and Aidan Lynch contributed 2-9 between them as Clare hammered Waterford at Semple Stadium to set up a semi-final meeting with Cork on June 23. Lynch’s goal separated the sides at half-time, as Clare led by 1-9 to 0-9. Lynch, scorer of 1-2 before the break, appeared as if he was going to pull first time on Jarlath Colleran’s bouncing pass but after getting the ball into his hand, he unleashed a stunning finish.

Waterford had four of their six starting forwards on target in the opening half but the Deise never looked like raising a green flag. Clare were never troubled during the second half as they outscored the Deise by 1-12 to 0-7. The points flowed freely and Guilfoyle scored Clare’s second goal five minutes from time with a glorious ground-stroke into the top corner of the netting. “It was a lot easier than we expected,” said Clare selector Donal Moloney. “In the first 10 minutes, there was a real intent about Waterford but our guys worked phenomenally hard and wanted it a bit more on the day.”